Nearly 4.5 billion people worldwide believe in one of the three biblical religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Islam calls them “People of the Book” because their texts are related.
That means these three religions also include angels and archangels, though often in different capacities. Angels and archangels are prominent in Christian texts.
But, what is the difference between angels and archangels?
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about archangels vs. angels.
What Are Angels?
Angels are messengers. They serve God.
St. Augustine says that angels are spirits who have intelligence and will. They are immortal, unnatural, superior beings.
The responsibilities of an angel include helping and guiding people during a crisis. Some believe angels can visit people and give them warnings or comfort. Others think they can influence people’s decision-making.
Angels are full of kindness and gratification. Religious texts characterize guardian angels as flowy beings with a halo, wings, and long hair. Also, they usually emit light.
There are seven divisions of angels. They are:
- Cherubim
- Dominions
- Powers
- Principalities
- Seraphim
- Thrones
- Virtues
However, the Bible only mentions three of these.
What Are Archangels?
Archangels are the chief messengers. They are above angels. These guardian spirits intermediate between angels and God. Sometimes they can appear in human form.
The responsibilities of an archangel include protecting humankind from the evils of demons and Lucifer.
The Catholic Church recognizes three archangels. It bestowed the title of Saint to them. They are Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael. Together they form the Holy Trinity.
Archangel Gabriel is a mailman. He brings the biggest and best messages from God. Anything about the Messiah comes from him. Gabriel’s name means “Man of God.”
Archangel Michael has four important jobs. First, he fights Satan. Second, he champions and defends Christians and the Church.
Third, he brings the faithful to Heaven when they die. Last, he calls people from their life on Earth to judgment in Heaven at the end of days.
Michael is the main archangel.
Archangel Raphael is a doctor. Only the book for Tobit mentions him as the healer of Sarah and Tobit.
Rabbinical texts recognize even more archangels. They include:
- Daniel
- Lucifer
- Remiel
- Raguel
- Uriel
The Difference Between Angels and Archangels
One difference between angels and archangels is their status order. While angels are messengers, archangels are higher-up messengers closer to God.
Angels are a symbol of good. They oppose demons. But, archangels are a symbol of God’s power. They show the authority God has manifested in them and use it to complete tasks.
Another of the most significant differences between the two is that a person can call upon angels for personal help. However, that person cannot call upon archangels for help.
This is because angels are the protectors of individuals and humanity. But archangels protect the whole of mankind.
Learn More Religious Texts
As you can see, the difference between angels and archangels is more expansive than you may have previously thought. But, they both play an important role in religious texts, especially the Bible.
If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out the rest of the blog for more exciting content.
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